The League (I): Speaking the Truth

Paul Pierce in the 08-09 Celtics win over the 59-60's Boston

Hey guys! The All-NBA Championship has begun. We're now 1 month into the competition, and the 180 teams have played around 14 games each. It might be too soon to draw significant conclusions, but still we are getting and interesting picture in the first moments of the competition.

So, as there are a lot of teams, I'm going to focus on two groups per post, so we can get a better picture of who is playing and what they are doing (of course, when we hit the 41 and 82 games barrier I'll post the standings of the 12 groups). 

Before getting to know the groups I and II, some friends (as well as myself) are following some teams we root for. I'll write updates about these everytime I post, so if you want to know about one particular team, just let me know in the comments!

• 96-97 Philadelphia 76ers: a young Allen Iverson leads this 76ers team, but apparently, he has not been capable of winning enough up to now. The Sixers hold a 6-9 record, being the 12th in their group. A lot of games still remain, so they can overcome this bad beginning and earn a playoff spot (the last currently belongs to the 90-91 Los Angeles Lakers, which are two wins ahead of the Sixers)
• 94-95 Orlando Magic: Shaq & Hardaway. The Magic legendary duo began sweeping their conference in a 5-0 start, but since then they have had some difficulties. They are 5th in their group with a 9-6 record.
• 89-90 Detroit Pistons: the Bad Boys, lead mainly by Joe Dummars and Isaiah Thomas, currently enjoy a confortable playoff spot. Maybe they won't have the most impressing record by the end of The League, but if they get to the playoffs, they will get things happening. They are the 4th in their group with a 8-7 record.
• 85-86 Boston Celtics: Larry Bird, Havliceck, and Sam Jones at their best level. They are suffering to remaing in playoff spot though, as they are 7th with a 7-7 record.
• 99-00 Toronto Raptors: as a Raptor fan, I have to root for this team. Honestly I wouldn't expect them to reach too far, but at the moment they  are in playoffs with a 8-6 record.

Okay, now let's turn to todays two groups. These are their standings so far:

Group I

    Group I wears the Celtics' colors. The Big 4 formed by Rondo (who is injured for the short run, by the way), Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are headed to the first place, followed by Bill Russell's 64 Celtics. Meanwhile, Dwight Howard and his Magic are trying to keep up with them while LeBron's Cavs haven't been successful in the start of their campaign. Chirs Paul, however, is making his New Orleans Hornets hold to playoff, something neither Yao Ming and a young Kevin Durant (in the 08 SuperSonics are capable of achieving with their teams.

Group II

The Group II, on the other hand, has no Celtic presence. But that isn't making it easy at all, as Kobe and LeBron are represented twice with their Lakers and Heat (funfact: both LeBrons suffer from injuries for a few weeks, we'll see if Wade and Bosh are able to make up for their absence).

This group basically concentrates the All Stars from the 2000s. In a group of superstars, there are two very interesting cases:

1.  The 08-09 Portland Trail Blazers! They are earning a spot with Greg Oden, a 20-year-old LaMarcus Aldridge, and a ROY level Brandon Roy. Neither of these are a superstar in NBA2k12, but this simulation gives them an opportunity to show what they could have been, had them stayed healthy from injuries.
2. The 47-48 Washington Bullets. Honestly I have no idea how the hell they are in playoffs (maybe it is just the momentum of he beginning of the championship). But the thing is that they are the only 40s team fighting their asses off for a playoff place. I think it is amazing to wonder wtf is in their minds. Imagine a 40s team visiting a 2010 Staples Center, to play against the 2000s basketball... There should be a movie about that.

A 50s Rochester Royals player faces Derek Fisher

So thank you guys for reading! Next week we will meet groups III and IV, but to be honest I cannot wait to show you groups XI and XII. You'll see why when we get there (for the moment, just imagine the best teams from 1993 to 1997 in two conferences). See you soon!